Leslie Waugh

Leslie Waugh didn’t just find her voice; she reclaimed her identity through the craft of the song. A Texas troubadour, Leslie’s journey began with a "yes" at a workshop that paired her with industry legends Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines. That fateful weekend transformed a curiosity into a calling, leading her to become the first woman to be given the dual honor of Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year in the same year by the Houston Songwriter Association.
Her discography is a testament to resilience and evolution. After her debut, The White Cat Sessions, she collaborated with Maines and Hendrix as co-producers for the critically acclaimed on.ward. Known for a "woman’s perspective" that balances folk intimacy with Americana grit, Leslie recently completed her ambitious Vignettes from a Woman’s Serenade trilogy—a series of EPs co-produced with Pat Manske at the renowned Zone Recording Studio.
In 2026, Leslie returns to the full-length format with her upcoming album, Night Bloom. Working once again with Manske, the new record explores a rich tapestry of driving alt-country and bittersweet folk tales. For Leslie, songwriting isn't just a career—it is an empowering assertion of self. "I am a songwriter," she says. "This is what I do, it’s who I am, and nobody can take that away from me."